Public Art: Giant Light-Up Photos Commemorate the Armenian Genocide For Grand Park’s First Public Art Installation

Recent visitors to Grand Park or the Music Center have probably noticed 24 large, light-up “asymmetrical photo-sculptures” dotting the landscape—these make up the first-ever public art installation at Grand Park, according to a statement for the project, which is called iwitness. The art pieces feature giant portraits of eyewitnesses who survived the 1915 Armenian Genocide, many of whom are now Los Angeles residents, and the artwork’s installation in these heavily-trafficked zones is timed to coincide with the centennial anniversary of the genocide. (The centennial was also marked with a massive march through Hollywood.)

Artists Ara Oshagan and Levon Parian created iwitness in collaboration with architect Vahagn Thomasian; all three have deep connections to the subject of the piece. “Our grandfathers were survivors of the Armenian Genocide, which informs and drives the work,” project director Oshagan says in a statement. The photo-sculptures were created by wrapping vinyl around steel frames; the material allows for the boxes to be illuminated from within at night—”like a lantern.” The temporary memorial ends its month-long run on May 31.

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